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  1. #1
    Aspiring Member Babbs's Avatar
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    out for the day...which bathroom

    Ok Girls. This coming week on thursday I'll be out for the day, shopping and what not, in eastern MA and southern NH. In the past, the few times I ventured out it was for limited time and I didn't have to worry about the bathroom. I know there have been other threads about which bathroom to use and I know I've basically said if you are a man in womens' clothes, you're still a man so use the mens' room.. But now its for real for me and I just don't know what to do. I'm not looking to reopen this argument I'm just looking for safe practical advice. Do MA and NH have laws governing which bathroom to use? If it doesn't matter, which one will cause the least commotion or issues? once I choose, If i'm called out, what do I say or do? Your advice and experiences will be greatly appreciated. Please help!

    Thank You Dears

  2. #2
    Transgender Person Pat's Avatar
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    In Massachusetts you're fully protected in all public accommodations and can use the bathroom that matches your gender identity. I take a liberal read on that and translate it to use the one consistent with your current presentation if you're not full time TS. In NH last time I looked they didn't have any specific law on the topic.
    I am not a woman; I don't want to be a woman; I don't want to be mistaken for a woman.
    I am not a man; I don't want to be a man; I don't want to be mistaken for a man.
    I am a transgender person. And I'm still figuring out what that means.

  3. #3
    tiptoeing thru the tulips ellbee's Avatar
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    There's a "Sticky" thread about bathroom laws up above. Not sure if you've read that yet.

    On the last page a couple others & I talked about some of our personal experiences with that.


    Anyway, years ago it got to the point where I was using the women's room. Just made sense for me, as it was the lesser of two evils. Then again, I'm also not a 6'6" 350-pound dude sporting a beard & a tutu, either (yes, I'm using an extreme example, LOL).


    Use your best judgement. If you're not trans, but look reasonably-enough like a chick, you might want to consider using the women's. Get in, get out, no weirdo creep biz.


    I still personally have no issue with using the men's room, if I still went out presenting as female. Really don't give a hoot. But what might be cool with me might not be cool with those I share it with, ha!

  4. #4
    Southern Girl dolovewell's Avatar
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    I try not to drink any water 4 hours before dressing so I don't have a need to go, but sometimes I have to go anyway.

    I use the women's restroom. Ive never once had a problem. Even in southern states.

    However depending on where I am at, like at a mall, I'll use a restroom that may not be so active. Like one off the beaten path instead of a high traffic restroom, like near the food court. Not because I don't think I would have a problem using a high traffic restroom, but just to minimize the risk just in case.

    Just go in, do your business, and get out. Don't be a creep, don't linger around.

  5. #5
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    Women's. Maybe try to use one at a gas station or some place else where you can lock the door. Or at least someplace that likely has a more polite crowd like the senile shoppers at thrift stores.

    One thing people never really mention about restrooms -
    Though Tg are often worried about things becoming a scene, if there is anyone in the ladies room who is likely to make a scene or act stupid, you will hear them in there before you go in. Like stupid teenagers giggling about the selfies they are about to post on social media, or if it is young kids you can hear them making racket.

    As far as restroom laws, who the hell knows. I somehow doubt the police are going to race into the place to arrest some TG who used the women's room. If you are really that worried about it, use the restroom right before leaving. That way you will be gone by the time the police and local news arrive and are talking to witnesses and pulling the security tapes to be sent to forensics.
    It takes a true Erin to be a pain in the assatar.

  6. #6
    TrueNorth Strong & Fierce Princess Chantal's Avatar
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    Eventually the which bathroom issue wouldn't be much of a decision making issue here in Winnipeg. Several places have switched to gender neutral or have an eye on the future and are being built with no gender specified bathrooms

  7. #7
    Aspiring Member Babbs's Avatar
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    thanks girls...sound advice...My first stop is at Florences Fashions(a cute boutique very CD friendly) where I had a bra fitting a couple of weeks ago, to pick up two new bras. I'll shop in there for a while then one of the bigger malls, probably the Rockingham in southern NH (no sales tax) where I'll grab lunch as well. I'll be out for about six hours which at my age means multiple bathroom stops.

  8. #8
    Style Icon Sara Jessica's Avatar
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    As has been said, we typically use the restroom which corresponds with our gender of presentation. YMMV of course, depending on your local laws of which I have no clue. Target is on record though of restroom non-discrimination. Starbucks has also been a good option given that many/most of their locations have single restrooms which lock.

    Quote Originally Posted by Babbs View Post
    If i'm called out, what do I say or do?
    Never happened to me in years and years which means it'll probably happen to you your first time!!!

    Don't talk if you don't have to, don't linger at the mirror. Sit, don't stand. These things should minimize the odds of being called out.
    Like a corpse deep in the earth I'm so alone, restless thoughts torment my soul, as fears they lay confirmed, but my life has always been this way - Virginia Astley, "Some Small Hope" (1986)
    Sunlight falls, my wings open wide. There's a beauty here I cannot deny - David Sylvian, "Orpheus" (1987)

  9. #9
    Member MissVirginia-Mae's Avatar
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    I always use the ladies and have never had a problem.
    In fact, I have had several GG's make conversation with me at the sinks....lol
    If they only knew!
    Regarding Rockingham, I have been there many, many times and during the day its easy enough....
    Nighttime does bring the teenagers in but you should be all set during the day with the old folk.
    They are basicially harmless....
    Good luck!

  10. #10
    Member SarahSerene's Avatar
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    Last time I went to the mall I used the family restroom. The nice thing about that was - I was out and about for a long time, a windy day, etc. The privacy of the family restroom allowed me to adjust my presentation without feeling rushed. Granted, there may be a family that needs to use it, but if I don't hear anyone trying the door, then I take the time to do what I need to do, i.e. - adjust my wig, brush it out a little, reapply lipstick, apply a little powder, etc. One time I even needed to shift my hip pads too! Taking that time to touch up really helps me keep my confidence going.

    In the women's restroom I don't mess around - in, out.

  11. #11
    Reality Check
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    Many shopping malls and some individual stores have "family" restrooms or single user unisex restrooms so those would be my first choice. You will look really out of place in a men's restroom dressed as a woman so that's not a good choice. At least, use a stall, don't hike up your skirt and stand at the urinal. If you look reasonably like a woman, use the woman's restroom but don't linger. Do your business, wash your hands and get out.

    I suggest scouting out the restroom situation in advance in male mode. Make a mental (or paper) note of the places you can go without issue.

  12. #12
    Aspiring Member Babbs's Avatar
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    Thanks again girls. If I have to go it will be in a single use bathroom. My decision is based on avoiding any problems with guys in the mens room or girls in the ladies room. I would prefer to use the men's room but that's where I'm afraid that someone would start trouble and then it could get physical. I have no desire or get no no thrill out of using the ladies room and it wouldn't make me feel more feminine. I would only use it if I was confident I could avoid a confrontation. I hadn't thought of the gas stations and certain restaurants that would have single use bathrooms. I'm flexible where I go tomorrow so that's what I'll do.

    [SIZE=1]- - - Updated - - -[/SIZE]

    well girls took the advice of using a private family room. there was one in Target. How do you like my new gray wig btw
    Attached Images Attached Images

  13. #13
    Platinum Blonde member Ressie's Avatar
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    Oh dahling, you're too young to wear a gray wig. But I love it.
    "You're the only one to see the changes you take yourself through", Stevie Wonder

  14. #14
    GG ReineD's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Babbs View Post
    well girls took the advice of using a private family room. there was one in Target.
    There seem to be a lot of gender-neutral facilities in the Boston area, so you really don't have a problem with this.
    Reine

  15. #15
    Silver Member Majella St Gerard's Avatar
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    When I dressed without the wig I would use the men's room, now wearing the wig I use the ladies room. I have never been challenged, women either avoid eye contact, smile and nod or gush and compliment. I assume that they believe me to be transgender. And yes I always sit unless it's a single.
    Last edited by Majella St Gerard; 10-31-2016 at 02:30 PM.

  16. #16
    Member CD Tammy's Avatar
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    I would look for the unisex handicapped or companion bathrooms when available otherwise, I would use the women's bathroom. The only time that you are really exposed is entering, exiting, and washing the hands. If it real busy, I'd look for the least used restroom in the place. Maybe even stop at places like a Dollar General that have small bathrooms that are one at a time use.

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by Babbs View Post
    ... I know there have been other threads about which bathroom to use and I know I've basically said if you are a man in womens' clothes, you're still a man so use the mens' room..
    mmmm Have you not answered your own question?

    But now its for real for me and I just don't know what to do.
    Ah, now the "advice" you gave in the past is not good enough?

    Now you should begin to understand the issues faced by all those "men in dresses" who have gone before you. My advice is simple, unless there is specific law that prevents you from using a restroom designated as female, use that one if you are presenting as female.
    Listen carefully to what is said, quite often you can hear what is not being said

    The joy of correcting a mistake can bring pain to another

  18. #18
    Gold Member Lana Mae's Avatar
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    Just as everyone else said, if you reasonably look like a woman use the women's. Get in, get done, and get out. Even here in NC it is not being enforced so far! The only case was a GG that was caught by police due to a complaint. So the women's is not even safe for real women!! Single use or family if you can! Good wishes go with you. Hugs Lana Mae
    Life is worth living!
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  19. #19
    Southern Girl dolovewell's Avatar
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    The main reason I do all I can to avoid using the bathroom when dressed, is because its a pain in the butt. I am tucked and wearing spanx holding in hip pads. Going to the bathroom means I have to take off my spanx, undo my tuck, and hold my hip pads in place while I go to the bathroom, then re-tuck, redo my hip pads and spanx.

    Last week I was out for about 9 hours and didn't go to the bathroom once, didn't even feel the need to, which was great.
    28 years old, 6' tall, 155 pounds
    Measurements: 33 bust-28 waist-37 hips
    Dress Size: 6, Bra Band Size: 34

  20. #20
    There's that smile! CarlaWestin's Avatar
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    Babbs, Honey. You've been one of my faves for quite a while. Love you! JUst use any bathroom. It's just really not an issue, it's a distraction.
    I've waited so long for this time. Makeup is so frustrating. Shaking hands and I look so old. This was a mistake.
    My new maid's outfit is cute. Sure fits tight.
    And then I step into the bedroom and in the mirror, I see a beautiful woman looking back at me.
    Smile, Honey! You look fabulous!

  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by CarlaWestin View Post
    .................. JUst use any bathroom. It's just really not an issue, it's a distraction.
    That's not good advice because it certainly can be an issue.

  22. #22
    Southern Girl dolovewell's Avatar
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    I agree with Krisi that it can be an issue and not to dismiss it as not a big deal.

    Unfortunately, I know there are crossdressers out there, who look forward to using the women's restroom, and that it will be the highlight of their day. That they WANT to be in there and will go as many times as they can, and linger. There are some crossdressers who dress up just to go into a women's restroom. I think that's a bit disturbing and creepy and its these types of people that give energy to the bathroom legislation. I do all I can to avoid using the restroom and only go if I really need to, and even then try to find a low traffic restroom.

    I suggest to everyone, to question your motives. Do you really need to use the restroom? Or do you just want to use the restroom?
    28 years old, 6' tall, 155 pounds
    Measurements: 33 bust-28 waist-37 hips
    Dress Size: 6, Bra Band Size: 34

  23. #23
    Senior Member Tracy Irving's Avatar
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    If you are trying to blend in and not be a distraction, it makes sense to use the women's restroom.

  24. #24
    Aspiring Member Babbs's Avatar
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    gas stations , starbucks, family only bathrooms ..good ideas thanks! Virginia Mae, weekday at the mall, your right, mostly just older folk, should be less of a worry...Right back at ya Carla!!...dolovewell, I'm 56 can't go more than two hours without having to pee, lol. Nigella, don't be an " I told you so" nag. lol

    Thanks again Girls, wish me luck

  25. #25
    Gold Member Helen_Highwater's Avatar
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    It can be one of if not the most nerve racking choices to make. In the UK, technically all public toilets are gender neutral. Ladies and Gents are just social conventions but public means just that and in law no office is committed by a man using a female toilet provided he doesn't do anything lude.

    However that doesn't make the actual act of walking into a "Ladies" any less stressful. If the toilet I'm intending to use hasn't a constant stream of GG's coming and going then I'll opt for that as while it may either be a bit of a shock to see a CD in the toilet it's unlikely to escalate into fisticuffs. The same can't be said for being in a gents enfemme. If it's busy I'll tend to look elsewhere, my ideal being a single use, disabled/family/ nappy changing room.

    Also as said, I get in, straight into a stall, shut the door and now I'm anonymous. Once done I also listen out for others coming and going and try to exit while things seem quiet. There's no point in pushing the envelope too hard but at the end of the day, if ya gotta go, ya gotta go.
    Who dares wears Get in, get out without being noticed

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